1^.0 The Irish Naturalist. December, 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 14.- — Excursion to Kilmashogue. A party of eleven, 

 conducted by A. W. St elf ox, having gone by the 2.30 train from Harcourt 

 Street to Dundrum, walked out to St. Columba's College, where they 

 were met and kindly shown over the grounds by the Warden, and on 

 passing out were Joined by some of the students for the walk up the 

 mountain. Within the College grounds some interesting fungi were 

 seen, and a fine example taken of the red-tailed " usurper bee " Psithyrus 

 rupestris. On the slope of the mountain a fair number of bog-plants 

 were seen in flower, though the season was distinctly late ; Galium 

 uliginosum was found in some plenty. A few of the party proceeded to 

 Ciddbeck's Castle. The return was made across the head of the Little 

 Dargle to Doyle's tea-house, which was reached at 7 o'clock. At a 

 short business meeting after tea a new member (Mr. G. Connor) was 

 elected, and the members then walked back to Dundrum in time to catch 

 the 9 p.m. train home. 



July 5. — Excursion to Howth. — A party of nine leaving Amiens 

 Street at 1.30 were met on leaving the summit tram at Baily Post Office 

 by ]Miss Knowles, ^liss ^Slassy, and Miss A. Kinahan, who guided the 

 party down to the beach below Earl's Cliff, where about two hours were 

 spent. Miss Knowles pointing out the remarkable zoning of the algae, 

 Miss jNIassy showing some interesting shells and ^liss Kinahan some of 

 the less common phanerogams, including the Red-berried Bryony 

 {Bryonia alba), of which both sexes were seen in abundant flower. A 

 good view was obtained of a Seal, who was intent on observing the 

 movements of the party. Professor Bayley Butler, at a later stage, 

 joined the excursion and showed the members through his Department's 

 gardens at the Lion's Head. The afternoon proving continuously wet, 

 the return was made by tram to Howth, where tea was provided at the 

 Cosy Cafe, a short business programme gone through, and a new member 

 (Mr. Alfred ]\lill-er) elected. The return to Dublin was made by the 

 6.30 train. 



September 13. — Excursion to the North Bull. — Leaving the 

 Pillar by tram at 1.30 a party of about twenty spent the afternoon in 

 studying the plant-associations and other features of interest in the 

 botany of the North Bull, under the guidance of Professor Doyle, J. P. 

 Brunker rendermg important assistance. The idea of a complete survey 

 of the natural history of the Bull was much discussed towards the close 

 of this, excursion. Tea (in the garden) was provided at the Dollymount 

 Restaurant ; a short business programme was gone through, and a new 

 member (Mr. J. Butler) elected to the Club. 



October 11. — Excursion to Lucan. The last excursion of the 

 Club took (as usual) the form of a fungus foray, and was conducted through 

 Lucan demesne (with the kind permission of the proprietor) by M. J. 

 Gorman. There was a large attendance, and great interest was taken 



